Find a general contractor in Chicago, IL

Find general contractors in Chicago, IL

Q: How much do local general contractors charge?

General contractors charge 10% to 20% of the total construction cost, known as "cost-plus." Some building contractors charge a flat fee based on the project but rarely charge an hourly rate. Home improvement contractors pay on your behalf for all materials, subcontractors, services, and permits.

Confirm your location to see the best general contractors near you.

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Find general contractors in Chicago, IL

Confirm your location to see the best general contractors near you.

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Top 10 general contractors in Chicago, IL

Homeowners agree: these Chicago general contractors are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.

Your General Contracting questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on HomeGuide.

How much do local general contractors charge?

General contractors charge 10% to 20% of the total construction cost, known as "cost-plus." Some building contractors charge a flat fee based on the project but rarely charge an hourly rate. Home improvement contractors pay on your behalf for all materials, subcontractors, services, and permits.

What does a residential general contractor do?

Licensed general contractors manage and coordinate the entire building process. A general contractor estimates the job, provides the materials and tools, and hires specialized subcontractors for the construction work. Remodeling contractors can perform electrical work, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, or build a house

Why use a general building contractor?

A general contractor saves you time, resolves any problems, and ensures the construction follows code requirements. General contractors have a network of experienced, licensed, and insured subcontractors to properly build any project. Home contractors also source all the materials, tools, and permits and pay for them on your behalf.

Common projects to hire a licensed general contractor are home, bathroom, kitchen, and basement remodeling.

How do I find a good general contractor?

Start by searching our list of construction companies near you. After finding contractors in your area:

Get at least three estimates from building contractors to compare.
Ask for references and to see a portfolio of their past work.
Verify their insurance, worker’s compensation, and bond guarantees.
Call references, read their reviews, and check out their previous work on HomeGuide and Google.
Ask about their warranties and guarantees.
Ask for a full itemized contract in writing in case of a dispute.
Avoid making large payments upfront. Come up with a payment schedule for work completed.

What questions to ask a general contractor before hiring?

Ask these questions upfront before hiring:

How long have you been a general contractor?
How many similar projects have you built?
Can you provide me with a list of references?
Can I see your portfolio?
Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?
Have there been any lawsuits against your company?
How do you handle damages that happen on the job?
Who's the project manager?
What qualities do you look for in subcontractors?
What hours do you and your crew work?
How long will the project take?
What permits do I need, and will you obtain them?
What does your warranty policy include?
Can you provide me a written estimate or contract with a breakdown of all costs?
What is the structure of the payment agreements?
Do you offer in-house financing?
What do I need to provide to get started?

Do general contractors need insurance?

A general contractor assumes responsibility for the project and should be licensed and insured. Ask for a potential contractor's license number and proof of insurance before hiring. Ask your local building department for licensing requirements, then verify the licensing on the state's licensing board website.

Reviews for Chicago general contractors

Recent success stories from people in the Chicago area.

Bradley F.

Our shower was getting pretty old, so we decided it was time to replace it. Century City Baths installed new tiles and a glass shower door, and everything turned out really nice. The guys were easy to work with and did a good job. The bathroom looks so much better now. Glad we finally got it done!

Century City Baths

Oleksii B.

This guy is a very skilled electrician and handyman. He completed a tough job for us quickly, professionally and with confidence. When an issue arose, he was innovative in finding a resolution. I look forward to working with him again.

Handyman

Daphne L.

Living in a small apartment, I’m always looking for ways to make my space feel bigger without adding clutter. Installing a custom mirror was one of the best decisions I’ve made. The mirror reflects natural light beautifully and makes the entire apartment feel more spacious. It’s amazing how much larger the room looks now. Because it was custom-made, it fits the space exactly. No awkward gaps, no settling for a standard size that almost works. For such a simple addition, the impact has been huge. The apartment feels brighter, more open, and much more polished. If you live in a smaller space, I highly recommend a custom mirror from Great Glass Chicago. It’s a practical upgrade that makes a noticeable difference every single day.

Great Glass LLC

Tina J.

I was referred to Adam’s Roofing by A colleague. Adams roofing came out to my house and did a phenomenal job in a timely manner at reasonable pricing . This definitely will be my go to company for any work I need done.

Adams Roofing and Tuckpointer

Jeffrey K.

They arrived on time, worked efficiently, and fixed the problem with no hassle. The roof looks amazing now! Very happy with their work and would hire them again in a heartbeat.

localchicagoroofing&construction

Emily D.

Dana was honestly a lifesaver. It was my first time working with a designer so I wasn't sure what to expect and on top of that, I was in St. Louis with family during the first phase of the project so I could only communicate with Dana over the phone and email. Turns out I had nothing to worry about. Dana was highly professional and organized right from the start. She understood my vision for my new condo from the start and the finished project surpassed my expectations. Dana made the entire process stress-free. The design and layout of my condo function so well for my lifestyle and we were able to keep the cost down while still finding quality pieces.

db design+

Kecia Z.

Jeremy and his crew exceeded expectations. Full apartment renovation, kitchen, bathroom, floors, paint completed on time. Jeremy was very accessible on site or by text and worked with almost full autonomy. The quote was clear and any additional charges were fully agreed upon. No surprises and high quality work!